Overview

Falassarna was one of the most important harbours in antiquity (closed port), unique in Western Crete, with blossoming in the 4th and 3rd century b. C. According to the tradition enemy of Polyrrinias, it took its name from the nymph -; local hero Falassarna. Although the excavating testimonies and the historical elements do not confirm its  foundation before the 6th century b.C, it was probably already organised by the end of the geometric period with the union of the scattered settlements of the plain into one settlement that developed itself into a considerable naval force. In the later years the city played an important role in the marine trade of western Crete with the manufacture of the closed port and its fortification.

Today the port and its installations are situated on land, after the elevation of the coast by 6-9m.,  probably during 365 a.D. According to Elpida Hatzidaki, it refers to a piratical base of operations that in the end the Romans destroyed in the mid  1st century b.C. , when the entry of the harbour was also stamped. The harbour was manufactured in a lagoon that preexisted and was connected to the sea with an artificial channel. It was surrounded by walls that were connected to the walls of the city with fortifying towers. Behind the main harbour existed a second, independent, brackish lagoon that perhaps was space for ship yards.

The systematic excavating research that began in 1986 brought in the light two of the four fortyfing towers of the harbour, that are dated back to the second half of the 4th century b.C.  The first one is circular and the second one four-sided. The Citadel is located at the top of the cape Gramvousa , with at least two temples, public buildings, reservoirs. The entire cape was a fortress that was surrounded by towers and rampants, while at its feet there is a double fortifying wall, of length 550m , with three defensive rampants. Other buildings of the city have been found along the  Eastern side of the cape and in the plain. Eastern of the harbour is the cemetery of the city of the ancient and classic years. The famous thronos of Falassarna  is also in the same area.